Artist's Dream by Gerri Hill

dropped the bottle, but she refused to turn around.
    “No. Thanks,” she said, again trying to manage the corkscrew. Warm hands closed over hers and gently took the bottle and corkscrew from her.
    “Are you all right?” Luke asked as she expertly pulled the cork from the bottle.
    “Of course. I’m fine,” Cassie said, ignoring the way her body trembled from Luke’s touch.
    Luke slid the bottle along the counter to Cassie, then stood with her arms folded until Cassie dared to look up and meet her eyes. She saw concern and … puzzlement in Luke’s eyes. Cassie forced a smile.
    “I’m fine, really. I just felt like …”
    “Drinking tonight?” Luke finished for her.
    “Yes, actually.” Cassie turned away and filled her glass. “You don’t mind, do you?”
    She knew Luke was watching her, but she wouldn’t turn around.
    “I don’t mind. You’re not driving, and I won’t be the one with the headache tomorrow.”
     
    Cassie turned around quickly, her eyes flashing. “Look, it’s none of your business.” Cassie motioned to the door. “Why don’t you just go back out and … and finish whatever you’ve started with Trish. Don’t leave her alone for too long or she’ll move on to her next victim.”
    Luke’s eyebrows shot up and she cocked her head to the side, watching Cassie for a second before taking a step toward her. Cassie stepped back until she was pressed against the counter, her heart beating painfully in her chest at Luke’s nearness. Luke stopped, but not until their thighs were nearly brushing.
    Luke spoke very quietly, her eyes never leaving Cassie’s. “There’s not really anything to finish with Trish. She’s not at all my type.” Cassie’s breath stopped entirely as Luke lowered her eyes to Cassie’s lips. “Besides, somebody has to take you home.”
    Cassie’s lips felt burned from Luke’s stare, and her tongue came out to wet them as she waited for Luke’s eyes to capture hers again.
    “Don’t feel obligated to me,” Cassie said. “I can manage.”
    “I’m sure you can,” Luke said and finally stepped away, giving Cassie room to breathe again. “Well, I’ll go out and mingle and leave you to your drinking.”
    She turned to go, but Cassie called her back.
    “Luke? Are you having … a good time?”
    “Yeah. I’m having a great time,” she said. “Thanks for inviting me.
    When she left, Cassie pressed her fingers to her lips, feeling as if Luke had touched them with more than just her eyes. Oh, you are such a fool!
    Why had she brought up Trish? It wasn’t any of her business who Luke chose to talk to and … flirt with. The last thing she wanted was for Luke to think she was actually jealous of Trish. Cassie forced a laugh. As if she would be jealous!
    She was thankful, actually. Maybe Luke and Trish would hit it off, maybe they would start dating. Then maybe Cassie could be satisfied with just a friendship with Luke. Maybe that would be enough.
     
    She cursed herself when her hand trembled as she filled the wineglass again. She couldn’t very well hide in the kitchen the rest of the night. She took the bottle with her and went back into the living room. She avoided Kim and Lisa, instead squeezing in next to Shelly on the sofa. She tapped her foot to the music and drank her wine, listening to the conversations around her but contributŹing little. She wondered where Luke was. For that matter, she wondered where Trish was, too. Perhaps they had gone someŹwhere quiet, where they could talk… or whatever.
    When her bottle was empty, she accepted a glass of chardonnay from Shelly with only a nod, her head already beginning to pound. She was well past her limit and knew she must stop. She had no idea what time it was, but she was ready to gd home and get into bed.
    Luke materialized just as her eyes were sliding closed. She squatted down in front of her, took her nearly full glass, and Cassie let out a weary sigh.
    “Had enough?” Luke asked quietly, with